A Big Rainbow–SkyWatch

I have to be honest and tell you I never thought I would post a rainbow picture for Sky Watch Friday. Rainbows are spectacular, but from my perspective really difficult to capture in a way that shows anything about how wonderful they were. And I am not saying these pictures captured what it was really like, but I like them anyway.

click on photo to enlarge

During “monsoon season” here in the desert southwestern United States, we have lots of rainbows, and this year there were even more because the season (which is still going for some crazy reason) has been much longer than usual and the frequency of clouds and light rain more than usual. But although there are a lot, they are fleeting. The rain is so isolated and sparse, that rainbows seem to last not long at all. Often I do not even get a picture, let alone have time for it to be a good one.

But this rainbow was unusual. It was a “full rainbow” covering 180 degrees. Those have been rare in my life. And it lasted a long time. I decided to drive for a better view, and got one somewhat better, but my lens wouldn’t even capture the entire thing. But the EXPERIENCE was the wonderful part. I watched it change for a good thirty minutes. I was just getting ready to pack up and head home when I realized how low the sun was in the sky. So I stayed for a spectacular sunset as well. (I am not showing you the sunset because I do not like to put too many pictures up for SWF, and I will be needing archives when this monsoon seaon ever ends!)

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118 Responses to “A Big Rainbow–SkyWatch”

Holy Moly, (That’s twice I’ve said that today…the last one was for a blogger who made a 10 foot tall chandelier for her daughter’s wedding reception). Louise I literally gasped when I saw your rainbow photos today. Unbelievably gorgeous and breath taking.

It’s me again. I couldn’t find an email for you so I will comment here. I think you may be right about something slithering up there and getting the eggs. It’s quite common for black ones (see…I can’t even say the word) to do that and goodness knows we have them out here in the country. Gives me chills to think about it though.

Hi Louise,
I LOVE this flower and also the fantastic rainbow, hope the weather stays good this weekend!
This weekend we are going on a BIG SAILINGBOAT, I show this great OLD boat on my blog,Please visit JoAnn:

Stunning. Great photos and I loved reading about you experiencing the rainbow. They’re so beautiful and mysterious to me and to have one stick around for over a half hour is a blessing. Thanks for sharing.
Happy Skywatch Friday!

Excellent! I like both, but for different reasons. The one with the wildflowers is stunning. I love the way the colors in the rainbow are picked up by the flower colors. But of course, there’s hardly anything better than seeing a huge double rainbow arching over a landscape. Well done, Louise.

OK, so I’ll give you that it wasn’t as spectacular as being there and experiencing it first hand, but what sky shot ever is??? I’m so glad you decided to share these!!!! I love rainbows, and your captures are magnificent. Love the flowers with the double. Wow! I wish I had been there.

I nearly put up a rainbow photo too!! (But went for the photo of Aphrodite instead). Anyway, what a stunning image… Rainbows are my nemesis and to get a good shot is so very rare. Have a great SWF – gnometree

Oh.my.goodness! Two fantastic photos! Love them both! Wonderful captures of the rainbows. I like the one with the flowers a lot, and the double half-circle rainbow photo is an absolute stunner. Well done, Louise.

The first photo bowled me over. Then I had to pick myself up off the floor a second time when I scrolled down to the other picture! Both are just gorgeous! It’s rare that I see a rainbow here (the hills tend to block them) and even more rare to see a double rainbow. Thank you for posting these!

If these shots didn’t do the rainbow justice I can’t even begin to imagine what they looked like. I think these are fantastic. I don’t see many rainbows. Last one I saw was probably 2 years ago and I only had my cell phone with me. It didn’t come out.😦

Oh my Louise, I can’t even tell you how beautiful those shots are. I had the same experience a couple of years ago with a double rainbow and I almost posted that photo for SWF. Just looking at these two photos reminds me of how intense and electric those colors are, even though we can’t really capture the moment, we can remember the feeling. Your rainbow photos are so much better than mine, I’m glad I posted another choice😉 Truly incredible!

Stunning photos both of them. You really did capture the feel of a rainbow. Please do not take any offence but on the second one you might try to straighten out the horizon line. It is just a pet peeve and usually most people do not see it. Wonderful photos as always from you. I did a post on my fishing blog awhile back about photography slip ups and how to avoid them.
Cheers
ps. I am getting better a little each day but this sickness is still hanging on.

Wow! I thought the first picture was beautiful, and then I scrolled down and saw the second one! It is AMAZING. How wonderful to be able to sit and watch that develop and change. The cloud formation would have made a great skywatch on any other day but you hardly notice it in this shot!
Thanks for sharing.

Yours is my favorite for this week, Louise. I’ll be putting it up on my desktop. I think everyone could use a rainbow right about now the way things have been going so thanks for sharing with all of us. Thanks for stopping by.

Uh…WOW!…there really aren’t words to describe these pictures-the flowers are gorgeous however the rainbow is just too beautiful…I guess heavenly would be the only word I can think of to describe…can’t wait to see the archives now! tfs

Well it’s no wonder that so many comments have appeared for this almost miraculous photo. And you have given us a larger version as well! I love your blog. I read it all and will definitely visit your photo awardees, if not the writer ones as well. I would love to but time is so limited, you understand. Your photos are truly wonderful, and thank you for posting them. And thanks so much for visiting my blog! I appreciate your thoughtful comments.

Goodness I almost wore out my mouse wheel scrolling to the bottom, so many comments. The 1st photo is beautiful with the flowers in the foreground & the 2nd one is almost too awesome to describe. The dark clouds set the rainbow off incredibly well. Brilliant photography.

Hi Louise, the rainbow pictures are wonderful and special. Very well done.
By the way, love Prince Charming, perhaps you would contemplate writing a book or two something to do with Enchantment.
Thanks for your visit and comments SWF

[…] When I posted a rainbow last year for SkyWatch Friday, I said that I did not think I would ever post one because I just cannot photograph what I see. But when I did it, it was a good photograph, even if it was not as spectacular as being there. […]

[…] know) saying that she had never seen a rainbow. Oh MY! Right away I e-mailed her a few of my best rainbow shots and told her if she corresponded by using actual pen and paper that I would be happy to make some […]